state
/steɪt/
When used as a noun to describe condition, the word often implies a judgment of quality, frequently leaning toward the negative in phrases like in a sorry state or in a state of chaos. It captures a snapshot of a situation's stability or instability at a precise moment in time. As a verb, the term carries a level of formality and precision that distinguishes it from simply saying or telling. It suggests an official or explicit declaration, often used in legal, academic, or administrative contexts where ambiguity must be eliminated to ensure an accurate record.
Countable as a political entity or an expressed fact; uncountable when referring to a general condition.
💬Casual Conversation
My inbox is in a state. I can't even find the brief.
Just state your priorities in a memo and I'll pivot the team.
Meanings
The particular condition that someone or something is in at a specific time.
"The old house was in a terrible state of repair."
A nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government.
"The treaty was signed by representatives from every sovereign state."
Examples
The patient was in a critical state after the accident.
The sovereign state declared independence in 1960.
You must state your purpose for visiting the embassy.
Collocations & Compounds
state of mind
the psychological condition of a person
His state of mind was fragile after the accident.
member state
a country that belongs to an international organization
France is a member state of the European Union.
state of emergency
a period of government-declared crisis
The governor declared a state of emergency after the hurricane.
state secret
information kept hidden by a government for security
The documents were classified as a state secret.
clearly state
to express something without ambiguity
You must clearly state your reasons for requesting a refund.
Phrasal Verbs
state out
to describe or detail something explicitly
She stated out the terms of the agreement to ensure there was no confusion.
Idioms & Sayings
state of the art
the most recent and advanced stage of development
The laboratory is equipped with state of the art technology.